Any damage caused to coral reefs in Thailand is considered to be a violation of the environmental legislation

BANGKOK, April 2. /TASS/. Two female Russian tourists apprehended on Phuket Island in early February for violating Thailand’s legislation on protecting marine resources have been sentenced to a fine by a court and were able to return home, Vladimir Sosnov, Head of the Consular Department at the Russian Embassy in Bangkok, informed TASS on Monday.

"The court hearing was held about two weeks ago, with a fine imposed on them," the diplomat said. "After that the Russian women were able to return home." Sosnov declined to specify the amount of the fine imposed on the Russian tourists.

Two Russian female citizens born in 1997 and 1998 respectively were detained on charges of violating the legislation on protecting the country’s marine resources, as corals were found in their hotel room. The two girls spent some time at a police station and were released on bail.

Any damage caused to coral reefs in Thailand is considered to be a violation of the environmental legislation. One could face a fine of up to $3,000 of a year behind bars for failure to comply with it.